'Taking the Waters' Then and Now: How time has changed the way we 'Spa' in Bath

16 December 2018

Founded as a holiday town where Romans could rest and recuperate after battle, Bath has a long, long history of people coming to take the waters.

From Prince Bladud’s alleged legendary discovery of the waters which supposedly cured his leprosy in 863BC, to the accessible Thermae Bath Spa complex today, where anyone over the age of 16 can enjoy the natural thermal waters, all such ‘spa-ing’ has been made possible by the legendary hot steaming waters of Bath.

While the waters themselves remain ‘unchanged’, the scenery certainly hasn’t.

Only in the last few hundred years have we had drawings and photographic evidence, but even in this relatively short time the facilities and the people using them have changed dramatically.

Take a look at these amazing ‘then and now’ photos and sketches of Bath’s spa facilities – as they were once, and how they are now.

With thanks to the Bath Film Office for their kind permission to share these photos.